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During this programme, you will:  

• Gain an awareness of and improve your competencies in the broad range of commercially available cyber technology options for integration in your equipment. 

• Collaborate with others to broaden overall access to emerging research, technologies, and best working practice to meet the challenges of Industry 4.0/5.0.

• Enhance your problem-solving techniques by collaborating with an in-company mentor in the high-tech manufacturing equipment domain. 

• Learn to implement Industry 4.0 or 5.0 technologies in manufacturing through on-the-job training. 

• Deliver a major project for your organisation in an element of equipment systems engineering. 

Key information: 

• Complete part-time over two years 

• Blended delivery – mostly online with one on-campus lecture per semester in year two 

• Modules taught during autumn, spring and summer semesters 

• Deliver a major company project in year two  

• Dedicated thesis supervisor and in-company apprenticeship mentor 

You will learn through a blend of: 

• Lectures, workshops, and experiential learning 

• Reflective practice and supervised research 

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers through 

Part-time considerations:  

• Designed for working professionals  

• Evening or recorded lectures  

• Additional prep and group work time  

• Timetable provided after registration 

Year 1  

Autumn Semester  

• provides a high-level introduction to the relevant cyber technology providers for equipment in the manufacturing sector. 

• examines the managerial, human and technological and economic factors involved with the design and implementation of Automated and Mechatronic systems at a macro level. 

Spring Semester 

• outlines robust processes, tools, and techniques, for the procurement of manufacturing equipment and associated systems integration technologies.  

• provides a forum where researchers, developers, visionaries and thought leaders share insights into Cyber-Physical manufacturing equipment solutions to solve real-world challenges. 

Summer Semester 

• ensures the student has engaged in research for the development of their equipment systems engineering project. 

• this is the first module to enable the apprentices to identify gaps in their skills and knowledge, and in collaboration with their industry mentor, plan ahead to bridge these gaps 

Year 2  

Autumn Semester  

• serves as the first of three research modules on the Equipment Systems Engineering apprenticeship programme. 

Spring Semester 

• serves as the second of three research modules on the Equipment Systems Engineering apprenticeship programme. 

Summer Semester 

• serves as the last of three research modules on the Equipment Systems Engineering apprenticeship programme. 

• this is the second module to enable the apprentices to identify gaps in their skills and knowledge, and in collaboration with their industry mentor, plan ahead to bridge these gaps. 

In addition to your core topics, you will actively participate in ongoing Communities of Practice (CoP), an essential component of your programme. This includes: 

• Peer Learning: Collaborate and exchange insights with fellow participants. 

• Mentoring: Document and reflect on meetings with your in-company mentor. 

• Forums: Engage in discussions and share knowledge within your learning community. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library. 

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on ±«³¢â€™s  

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8) with at least a second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) in a relevant discipline. 

• You must hold an Irish employment contract that meets or exceeds the duration of the apprenticeship. 

Sponsoring Company: 

• Company must complete an approval process with UL and SOLAS and commit to supporting the apprentice throughout the programme. 

• Must appoint an industry mentor within the company throughout the apprenticeship.

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme.  

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. 

Checklist of Documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
• Copy of your CV 

Guidelines on Completing your Application  

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist.
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

Company Registration Process:  No Charge

Online Student Application Fee: €50

Annual Student Contribution Fee:  €2400*

* Year 2 fees are subject to change 

* Fees are subject to change depending on programme of study and external funder’s requirements. 

Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. This programme does not qualify for a study visa. 

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.. 

Candidates and Companies who satisfy the eligibility criteria under Generation Apprenticeship can qualify for up to 90% funding of fees, subject to eligibility and availability.   

For further information, please email ²¹±è±è°ù±ð²Ô³Ù¾±³¦±ð²õ³ó¾±±è²õ°ª³Ü±ô.¾±±ð  

Companies can also apply for the  of €2000 per annum if they meet the eligibility requirements.  

This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:  

• Medical Device (Medtech)
• Pharmaceutical
• Food and Beverage (generally regulated manufacturing industries)
• Automation Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Controls Engineer
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Manufacturing Systems Group Leaders 

Testimonial – Graduate working in Pharma/MedTech sector 

"As an engineer working in the medical device industry, I enrolled in the ESE (Equipment System Engineering) programme at the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ with the ambition to advance smart manufacturing and regulatory innovation within the framework of Industry 4.0. The programme offered not only technical depth but also strategic foresight, critical in a quality-driven and rapidly evolving sector.  

Modules focused on systems integration, data analytics, and automation were especially relevant, reflecting the industry’s shift toward connected platforms and cyber-physical systems (CPS). Through the programme’s Community of Practice, I engaged with faculty, peers, and senior engineers from leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies. These collaborative exchanges directly informed solutions I later implemented within my own team. 

Following the completion of my master’s, my company recognised the immediate value of the expertise I had gained. I was promoted to an equipment systems role, where I now lead initiatives in smart systems integration—embedding digital diagnostics and real-time monitoring across our production lines. The ESE programme not only shaped my professional development but also enhanced our organisation’s capacity to deliver robust and future-ready equipment systems."

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions